Markus zusak was born in 1975 in sydney, australia, the youngest of four children of immigrant german and. Book summary the majority of the novel takes place in the fictional town of molching, germany, near munich, between 1939 and 1943. Australian author markus zusak is bestknown as the author of the internationally bestselling novel the book thief which loved by waterstones booksellers and readers alike remains of our most regularly recommended reads. You ll see definite echoes of the whipping incident in several crucial points in the nove.
Thank you for explaining what it took to have the book that you wanted and what it means to both you and i the reader. Interview with markus zusak chicago public library. A surprising number of movies are based on books, and which books are made into movies can be even more shocking. After winning multiple awards and being translated into over thirty languages, it is no wonder the book thief by markus zusak was one such book, and like many novels turned films, it paints a fuller picture of the overall story. Author markus zusak talks about writing the book thief, i am the messenger and the writing life. But what affects him most personally is the knowledge that the book thief is so singularly his. After the book thief, a novel that has been a lifetime. All of zusak s books including earlier titles, the. Heidi and markus zusak took part in the below conversation via email in spring 2012. When we left the set i said to her, i really want to thank you for taking. Oct 04, 2018 bridge of clay is zusaks first release since the book thief, which sold 16 million copies worldwide and was made into a film starring geoffrey rush and emily watson in 20. A story narrated by death may sound ominous and maybe even a bit outlandish.
Zusaks latest novel, bridge of clay, is published in october 2018. Excerpt from the book thief by markus zusak abc news. Bridge of clay is zusak s first release since the book thief, which sold 16 million copies worldwide and was made into a film starring geoffrey rush and emily watson in 20. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, awardwinning author markus zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time. The 44yearold australian author came to the iowa city public library monday night for a stop on his tour promoting his latest novel, bridge of clay. Mar 28, 2008 the author of the book thief explains why failure is his best friend, and why all writers tend to be loners. Markus zusak s international bestseller the book thief marks its 10th anniversary this year.
His novel comes years after the release of the book thief, and the process, according to zusak, was full of ups and downs. The book thief interview with sophie nelisse, director. His books have been translated into more than forty languages, to both popular and critical acclaim. A video about the book thief by markus zusak 30006 views 257 people liked it. A girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical germans, a jewish fistfighter, and quite a lot of thievery. Zusak may be one of australias bestselling authors. Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief youtube. My friend markus zusak was born to write this riotous australian epic. Its probably what i love most about writingthat words can be used in a way. So in typical suz style, i hunted markus down for an interview. Markus zusak is the author of five books, including the international bestseller, the book thief, which spent more than a decade on the new york times bestseller list, and is translated into more than forty languages establishing zusak as one of the most successful authors to come out of australia. Interview with the book thief author the book thief movie, being released this month, is based on a novel by markus zusak, who was born in australia to german. In conversation with markus zusak, in the studio tedxsydney. Zusak was generous with his time, and we were able to talk about writing in general as well as specifics about two of his works, i am the messenger and the book thief.
Markus zusak on how bridge of clay left him beaten up and bruised. Sep 20, 2012 i will now provide a brief lesson in how people did things before the internet. In honor of the film adaptation of markus zusak s much beloved novel the book thief its sold 8 million copies worldwide, if thats not beloved, dear god, i dont know what is hitting theaters today, as follows, an edited phone interview i, along with a handful of other book bloggers, conducted with zusak a few weeks ago. When her foster father helps her learn to read and she discovers the power of words, liesel begins stealing books from nazi book. Nov 07, 20 the book thief movie is about to premiere but what does author markus zusak think about the highly anticipated adaptation of his best selling novel. The last time i added a book to it was over two years ago. The book thief by markus zusak the uncorked librarian. The book thief is a story about the power of words to make worlds. The author of the book thief explains why failure is his best friend, and why all writers tend to be loners. Mar 14, 2006 when death tells a story, you pay attention. Geoffrey rush and sophie nelisse sit down with andrew freund duration. Nov 23, 2011 its just a small story really, about among other things.
Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief. The book thief author markus zusak on bridge of clay. But as of now, the book thief will always be my all time favourite. A video about the book thief by markus zusak 29969 views 257 people liked it. However, markus zusak captures deaths voice in a poetic. For more information about markus zusak or events happening in conjunction with the chicago public librarys the book thief one book, one chicago programming, please visit. Mar 20, 2014 markus zusak is the bestselling author of six novels, including the book thief. Interview with markus zusak actress, writer and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall. Actress, writer and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall. I love the way he knows what he wants and goes to get it.
Markus zusaks tackles brotherhood in bridge of clay time. New novel coming from book thief author markus zusak. I hate the fact that in the movie it isnt shown that liesel also wanted to kiss rudy. Brian, youve found the quintessential young meryl streep in sophie. Zusak, 42, began work on the book soon after the publication of the book thief in 2005, he said in an interview by phone from australia, where he lives, that he has had the idea. I love that you write the women so well and am interested to hear why you chose a young girl to be the book thief. His work is translated into more than forty languages, and has spent more than a decade on the new york times bestseller list, establishing zusak as one of the most successful authors to come out of australia. Thank you to the chicago public library for partnering on the content of this article. The book thief is set in nazi germany, at the start.
Laughs thats what i love about being a writer of novels. Interview with markus zusakauthor of the book thief. Interview with author of the book thief thank you to the chicago public library for partnering on the content of this article. Nov 15, 20 in honor of the film adaptation of markus zusaks much beloved novel the book thief its sold 8 million copies worldwide, if thats not beloved, dear god, i dont know what is hitting theaters today, as follows, an edited phone interview i, along with a handful of other book bloggers, conducted with zusak a few weeks ago. The book thief, by markus zusak beautiful artwork of rudy steiner artist unknown the book thief, by markus zusak beautiful artwork of rudy steiner you. Markus zusak, author of bestselling novel the book thief, answers questions from guardian childrens books site members about the film of his book, which is released this week. Set against the backdrop of world war ii germany, the book thief is a compelling and moving story about a young girl sophie nelisse who is taken in by foster parents geoffrey rush and emily watson. Are you looking for more books that take you around the world and throughout historical periods in time. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. I was first turned on to markus zusak when i watched an interview he gave about the book thief. The book thiefphoto courtesy of 20th century fox i had the pleasure of being involved with a roundtable interview for the upcoming film the book thief with director brian percival, star of the film sophie nelisse, and author of the bestselling book, markus zusak. Aug 09, 2015 markus zusak, author of the book thief and the messenger us title, i am the messenger spoke to me way back in 2007, shortly following the paperback release of the book thief. A girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical germans, a jewish fistfighter, and quite a lot of thievery a conversation with markus zusak about the book thief. He lives in sydney, australia, with his wife and children.
After the book thief, a novel that has been a lifetime in. More than a decade after he published the book thief, internationally acclaimed author markus zusak returns with a novel about a young boy named clay dunbar who leaves his four brothers to build a bridge with his father, the man who abandoned them years before. Markus zusak, author of the book thief and the messenger us title, i am the messenger spoke to me way back in 2007, shortly following the paperback release of the book thief. When liesl learns to read, she begins stealing books, hence the title of zusak s book. What inspired you to write about a hungry, illiterate girl who has such a desire. The book thief, which has been translated into more than 40 languages.
For more information about markus zusak or events happening in. I read some books that were the right books for me. Markus zusaks the book thief has spent more than six years on the. Markus zusak on how bridge of clay left him beaten up and. I called random houses main office in new york and pressed zero. The book thief 257 likes like share on facebook 30006 views its just a small story really, about among other things. The book thief films biggest hurdle was death film. If the book thief is the australian authors most famous book, this is his magnum opus. Jul 08, 2008 i was first turned on to markus zusak when i watched an interview he gave about the book thief. There were plenty of moment s in the book when liesel wanted him to kiss her but she was too. The book thief is an extraordinary, heartbreaking book.
More than a decade after the publication of his last book, the international bestseller the book thief, australian author markus zusak returns with a muchanticipated new novel. In interviews, zusak discusses an additional inspiration for the noveltales of a real book thief in zusak s hometown of sydney, australia. Its markus zusak s weird optimism that kept him pushing through to the culmination of his latest work. Death narrates the story of liesel meminger, beginning when she is nine years old and suffering from the death of her brother and separation from her mother. Rudy is a spontaneous, boisterous and loud personality. Needless to say, when i was given the opportunity to interview markus zusak, i jumped at the chance. Having fallen in love with the book thief i am certain i will take to bridge of clay as easily. A conversation with markus zusak about the book thief a story about.
Markus zusak interview, plus links to author biography, book summaries, excerpts and. In conversation with markus zusak, in the studio youtube. Markus zusak on why his followup to the book thief. Here now is the interview in full, which was made possible by flamingnet and random house. A conversation with markus zusak about the book thief a story about, among other things. Its just a small story really, about among other things. This interview was specifically for the belvedere writers club, a project aimed at helping new writers get their short fiction published, so i was. Oct 05, 2018 thank you for explaining what it took to have the book that you wanted and what it means to both you and i the reader. Markus zusak, author of the book thief, talks creating.
Of course, when i went to get it at borders, they didnt have it. The author is a prizewinning writer of childrens books, and this, his first novel for adults, proved to be a triumphant success. The milestone is celebrated with a new special edition, containing 32 pages of bonus content including manuscript pages, original sketches, pages from zusak s writing notebook and a letter from the author. April 2, 2006 nprs john ydstie interviews markus zusak, author of the book thief, a novel set in world war ii germany with death himself as the narrator.
Interview with author of the book thief steppenwolf theatre. Markus zusak at the age of 30, zusak has already asserted himself as one of todays most innovative and poetic novelists. A conversation with markus zusak about the book thief. Markus zusaks international bestseller the book thief marks its 10th anniversary this year.
I looked at my copy of the book thief and saw it was published by random house. Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief video author. In zusak s latest young adult novel, the book thief, death doesnt gleefully gather up the newly dead. In the hands of australian writer markus zusak, death is a surprisingly enjoyable omniscient narrator. How did you respond to the news that your book was being adapted, when did.
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Like the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime, which was initially targeted at young adults in britain but to adults in the usa, the book thief is one of those rare books that really does speak to both young and old alike. Interview with markus zusak part 1 of 2 view from here the. Jan 01, 2008 the book thief by marcus zusak was the bestselling debut literary novel of the year 2007, selling over 400,000 copies. Nov 20, 20 the book thiefphoto courtesy of 20th century fox i had the pleasure of being involved with a roundtable interview for the upcoming film the book thief with director brian percival, star of the film sophie nelisse, and author of the bestselling book, markus zusak. The edition of the book thief i read is the 10th year anniversary, so there is an interview with markus zusak at the end of the story. Liesel meminger is a young girl growing up outside of munich in nazi germany, and death tells her story as an attempta flying jump of an attemptto prove to me that you, and your human existence, are worth it. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still. Interview with markus zusak, author of the book thief video. Odd narrator of a girls story nprs john ydstie interviews markus zusak, author of the book thief, a novel set in world war ii germany with death himself as the narrator. How to contact markus zusak, author of the book thief quora. Despite his affinity with failure, markus zusak is the author of five books, including the international bestseller, the book thief, which has now been translated into more than 40 languages.
New novel coming from book thief author markus zusak by emma kantor mar, 2018 random house has. Feb 25, 2014 markus zusak, author of bestselling novel the book thief, answers questions from guardian childrens books site members about the film of his book, which is released this week. Markus zusak is the international bestselling author of six novels, including the book thief and most recently, bridge of clay. Tul book lists featuring the book thief by markus zusak. At times hilarious believe it or not, at times heartbreaking, the book thief is rich and creative. Author interview markus zusak, author of the book thief. Mar, 2018 new novel coming from book thief author markus zusak by emma kantor mar, 2018 random house has. With the publication of the book thief, he is now being dubbed a literary phenomenon by australian and u. Markus zusak, author of bestselling novel the book thief, answers. To date, zusak has held the number one position at. After the book thief, a novel that has been a lifetime in the making john boyne. Liesel meminger cannot read when she arrives at her new home, but finds herself drawn to.